Alfie Allen
He turned a treacherous, pitiful character on 'Game of Thrones' into one of television's most profound and unexpected redemption arcs.
Born 1986 (age 40)·English actor·Birthday: September 12·Millennials
Biography
Alfie Allen didn't just play Theon Greyjoy; he inhabited a soul in torment. On 'Game of Thrones,' he took a character who began as a arrogant, insecure ward and guided him through betrayal, brutal physical and psychological torture, and a complete loss of identity, emerging as the broken 'Reek.' Allen's fearless performance made every flinch and whimper palpable, transforming audience hatred into uneasy pity. His true triumph was the slow, agonizing crawl back to selfhood, a redemption arc that stands as one of the series' most emotionally complex achievements. This role, which earned him an Emmy nomination, proved his capacity for deep, unsettling work, a skill he's since applied to films like 'John Wick' and the Oscar-winning 'Jojo Rabbit.'
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Alfie was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alfie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Alfie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Theon Greyjoy across all eight seasons of HBO's 'Game of Thrones,' receiving a Primetime Emmy nomination for his performance.
- Played the formidable assassin Perkins, who battles John Wick in a hotel room, in the first 'John Wick' film.
- Starred as F. Lance in Taika Waititi's Academy Award-winning film 'Jojo Rabbit.'
- Appeared as a key soldier in Shane Black's sci-fi sequel 'The Predator.'
- Performed on stage in London productions including 'The Little Dog Laughed' and 'Equus.'
Did You Know?
He is the younger brother of singer Lily Allen, who wrote the song 'Alfie' about him.
He is a devoted fan of the English football club Arsenal F.C.
He provided the voice for the character 'Starfox' in the video game 'Marvel's Avengers.'
His father, Keith Allen, is also a well-known actor and comedian in the UK.
He trained extensively in dance, including ballet, as a child.
“Theon's journey is about identity. It's about losing yourself and trying to find a way back.”
